Why Has My Chihuahua Suddenly Turned On Me?

Chihuahuas are some of the most appealing dog breeds out there. They look adorable and they are pleasant to play with. But, why has my Chihuahua suddenly turned on me? This is actually a common thing. See, these dogs are aggressive and they will show it. If your pet suddenly has become aggressive towards you, there is a reason to be concerned. Let’s see the reasons and also help you understand what you should do in this scenario.

Why Has My Chihuahua Suddenly Turned On Me?

1. He is in pain

If your pet is in pain or has some health issue, he will become aggressive. Why has my Chihuahua suddenly turned on me? Simply said, your dog has some massive issues. There are a lot of reasons here. Your dog may be obese. Obese Chihuahuas are very aggressive. Swelling of the teeth which happens when oral hygiene is poor is another cause. Hip dysplasia, arthritis, and also kneecap dislocations are common reasons as well. 

This will be the most common present when you try to pet your dog. If he is in pain, he will react aggressively. It means that you need to check with your vet and examine your dog. A treatment will solve the aggression.

2. Your dog is anxious

Chihuahuas have awkward personalities but they are still dogs. When they are anxious they will be aggressive. This behavior can cause them to be aggressive towards you, other dogs, and people. But, your pet will also chew furniture, scratch the door and so much more.

A dog can be anxious due to separation anxiety. If you have separated him from his owner, he will be very anxious. Noise anxiety is another, common thing here. Traumas can make him anxious as well. In this case scenario, you will need to find a solution to treat the anxiety. Your vet can help you with that.

3. Your dog thinks he is alpha

These dogs want to have a commanding role all the time. Eventually, if a Chihuahua sees you as a weak alpha, your dog will want to become one. Aggression is common in this case scenario. You need to make sure that you are the alpha and you have total control. Always be firm and make sure your pet obeys you. He will get back on track very soon.

4. PTSD

If you have a dog who was abused in the past he may develop PTSD at some point. This explains why your pet was fine with you and all of a sudden he will attack you and be aggressive towards you. This does need professional help and you need to help your pet. He had some massive trauma in the past and he needs a way to overcome it. You never know what your dog had to survive. 

How Can You Tell That Your Dog Is Aggressive?

Sadly, for some dog owners, ordinary play faces and fast reactions are the same things as aggression. Keep in mind that this is not the same. When you play with your dog, he will be pleasant and happy. When he is aggressive, he is a threat, even to you! As such, we had to explain the difference or better say the signs you can use to tell when your dog is aggressive towards you. Your dog will show all or a few of these.

• Show his teeth

Chihuahuas will show you their teeth when aggressive. This is the first and the most common sign you can use to tell when they are aggressive. Yes, they will show you all the teeth and if you don’t move, your dog will bite you. 

• Growl

You can hear them growl and this is not a pleasant sound. In reality, it looks scary and some dog owners should avoid approaching their Chihuahua when this happens. Your pet is doing this to scare you away and in some cases, you should obey. 

• Has a stiff posture

Basically, a Chihuahua will prepare to attack. The muscles are firm and stiff. This also means that the posture is stiff and looks like your pet is under tension. It is one of the signs that are almost always present when a dog is aggressive. 

• Muzzle punching

They can punch you as well but with the nose not a paw. This is a common thing among Chihuahuas and the one that looks scary. Keep in mind that after this, a dog will bite you. It is a more advanced sign and the one that you need to look for.

• They will not move the tail

All dogs move their tails all the time. But, when they are aggressive, they will stop. This applies to Chihuahuas as well. The tail will be kept in one position and paired with the stiff posture you can imagine how this will look like. 

Things You Can Do

If this happens with your dog you will have to do something. The first and the most effective thing is to train your pet. You will need to help him understand commands such as come, speak, quiet, sit, and similar ones. This can last and it can be done by a professional. But, it is not very affordable. You can train him as well, but you will need a lot more time. Anyway, this is a very effective solution.

Playing with your dog and taking him to daycare can help. The goal is to make your dog happy and help him use his energy. Soon, he will become much calmer and he will enjoy it more. He will not be aggressive anymore. Pair this to the first option here and you will see a massive difference, very soon.

The Final Word

Why has my Chihuahua suddenly turned on me? You know the answer now and you also know what to do. It is impossible for a dog to start behaving like this without any reason hence there is some issue present. Detecting the issue and correcting it will be your mission.